By adopting the amendment — which was recommended by the Plan Commission — the board agreed to make an exception to an ordinance prohibiting outdoor storage in commercial districts, including the downtown and east-side I-43 corridor, Village Administrator Darrell Hofland said.

The only exceptions to the storage ban have been for businesses in operation before the ordinance was adopted, as well as for greenhouses, farmers markets and other temporary uses.

Hofland said the ordinance change came in response to requests from businesses in the south commercial district.

“The idea is that the south district has more neighborhood shopping than other areas,” he said. “This helps ensure that everyone there is on an equal plane now.”

Attracting and retaining businesses has been a major focus of the village’s redevelopment plans for the district, whose major stores include the Pick ’n Save and Sendik’s groceries, Shopko, Ozaukee Ace Hardware and Sears.

The ordinance change allows propane tanks to be stored outside stores, but requires the tanks to be kept in locked, metal enclosures inaccessible to the public without an employee’s help. The new law also requires outdoor storage areas visible from public streets or residential areas to be screened by 6-foot masonry walls or wooden fences.